Football Hooliganism in Argentina: The Rise of the Barras Bravas 🇦🇷 Football violence in Argentina is a deep-seated social problem, significantly exceeding the level of typical crowd disorder often seen elsewhere. The organised, violent fan groups are known as "Barras Bravas" (fierce mobs), and they represent a complex network of sport, crime, and corruption. Origin and Evolution The roots of Argentine hooliganism go back to the 1920s , when fervent fan groups, known simply as barras , began exhibiting spontaneous violence, primarily to intimidate referees and rival teams. However, the phenomenon of the modern Barra Brava truly solidified in the 1950s . Club directors, under pressure to win, started to view these groups as assets. They were partially financed and given benefits —like free tickets and travel—in exchange for their loyalty and, crucially, their willingness to confront and repel rival fans, especially at away games. This support allowed the Barra...